Airborne 08.18.17

Group Has Been Campaigning Against The PA Hunting Club

An animal rights group with a beef against the Wing Pointe hunting club in Berks County, PA, has been flying an octocopter UAV over the club's property, using a video camera mounted on the aircraft to record the club's pigeon shoots.

On Sunday, the aircraft, which belongs to a group calling its self "SHARK" ... for SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness ... was fired on and hit, causing about $4,000 damage to the aircraft by the group's estimate. It was not certain that a hunter at the club was responsible for shooting at the drone.

According to television station WCAU, the group sent out a news release Monday indicating that "a single sharp rifle crack rang out," causing the video feed to end and the aircraft to go out of control. It was eventually landed and recovered by the group.

The incident is being investigated by local police. The group says it is the fourth time the drone has been targeted while they try to take video of the shoots, which the group claims are inhumane.

However, the Berks County District Attorney told the station that the pigeon shoots are legal. He said he is looking for a way to end the conflict between the two groups which he says is "potentially deadly."